The father of the Indian woman diplomat Devyani Khobragade arrested on visa fraud charges in New York and later released on a bond today said the incident smacked of "racial bias" and sought an apology from law enforcing agencies.

Uttam Khobragade, father of Devyani Khobragade, also claimed that it was a clear case of "conspiracy" to harass his daughter and damage the reputation of the Indian government.

"It is nothing but a racial bias. It is simple and clear racial bias to harass the Indians," he said.

He requested the Indian government not to take the matter lightly.

India-born Preet Bharara, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has accused Devyani Khobragade of making false statements in a visa application for an Indian national employed as a babysitter and housekeeper at her New York home.

Devyani Khobragade is Deputy Consul General at the Consulate in New York and was serving as its acting head at the time of her arrest yesterday.